Armo panchayat residents live in fear as Konar washes away only bridge every year

Bokaro: Every year, hundreds of families living in Armo panchayat are cut off from the rest of Bokaro district when the swelling currents of Konar river sweep away their only bridge across the river during the monsoon season.

The families, which live in villages such as Nadidhar, Nawatand, Ganzhu Basti, Kusumdih and Shahartola then contribute money and labour to build the makeshift bridge, made of wood and bamboo, all over again.

With monsoon still a few weeks ago, the residents are already living in a state of fear this year. Villagers must cross the river to reach Gomia Hospital and nearby markets, located barely three to four kilometres away. Without a bridge, many are forced to take a seven-kilometre detour, which also becomes impossible during heavy rains.

“Every rainy season brings fear to our village. We hold the hands of our children hands tightly while crossing the bamboo bridge because one small mistake can cost a life. Still, we have no other option,” said Sudha Devi.

“When someone falls sick at night, our entire family panics. There is no proper road or bridge. We pray the river water stays low so we can somehow reach the hospital in time,” said Phulmani Devi.

Konar river serves as the key link between Bermo and Gomia assembly segments under Giridih Lok Sabha seat. Ironically, the affected villages fall under booth numbers 1 and 2 of the Bermo assembly seat. However, permanent infrastructure remains absent.

Residents said repeated appeals have been made to local authorities, the administration, the Giridih MP Chandra Prakash Choudhary and Bermo MLA Kumar Jaimangal for a permanent bridge. However, villagers alleged that promises made during elections have never turned into action.

Jaimangal said, “The approach road to that point of the river had already been constructed and inaugurated by me. In Armo , where there is a requirement for a bridge, development works worth Rs 72 crore have already been carried out. An MLA has the capacity to construct one bridge in a year. In the past two years, I have already dedicated two bridges to my constituency. A proposal for bridge in this area has already been sent and the estimation work has been completed. The bridge will be sanctioned by the department within the next two to three months.”